Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves in the Troposphere and the Use of This Technique For Communications

Authors

Irvin H. Gerks, Collins Radio CompanyFollow

Document Type

Research

Abstract

This article is an introduction to the subject of tropospheric scatter propagation for the non-specialist. It opens with a review of various modes of propagation which may exist in a non-turbulent atmosphere, such as diffraction and ionospheric reflection. The scattering of energy in a turbulent medium is then examined, and statistical methods are introduced to describe the resultant field. Special characteristics of the signal are discussed, such as variation with distance, climatic effects, frequency dependence, fading, bandwidth, and noise level. The paper concludes with a description of methods and equipment employed in the design of a communication system operating over a distance in the range of 100 to 500 miles. It is concluded that tropospheric scatter terminals are large and costly, but that under some circumstances such a system has economic advantages over a line-of-sight relay system and can furnish comparable quality and reliability.

Publication Date

1960

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

67

Issue

1

First Page

399

Last Page

430

Copyright

©1960 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Gerks, Irvin H. (1960) "Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves in the Troposphere and the Use of This Technique For Communications," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 67(1), 399-430.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol67/iss1/52